TO US A CHILD IS BORN
ISAIAH 9:1-7
INTRODUCTION:
The Christmas Story that means so much to all Christian believers can be told with six words, “To us a child is born.”
If it were not for the appearance of Immanuel (God with us) we would not need to celebrate Easter.
The birth of Jesus Christ is the beginning of the beginning. That’s right! Jesus is still alive so the story is still ongoing.
Isaiah 9 informs us of three prophecies that the Christ child would reveal to this dark world.
1. This child is “The Great Light.”
2. This child is “The Great Liberator.”
3. This child is “The Great Lord.”
Let us look together this morning in God’s Word and see how the prophet Isaiah revealed this amazing prophecy 740 years before the birth of Christ.
I. THIS CHILD IS…… THE GREAT LIGHT (Vs. 1-2)
This prophetic word says the Jehovah God was going to bring light to a dark and despised area of the world called Galilee.
It was in this area that Zebulun and Naphtali was first plunged into darkness by the ravaging armies of Tilgath-pileser in 732 B.C.
It was here that our God was going to show Himself to the world. It was here that the radiant light of the Messiah would make his beginning in Galilee. (Matthew 4:13-17)
A. Jesus is the Light in the beginning.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
B. Jesus is the Light in the middle.
Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 36Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.” John 12:35-36
C. Jesus is the Light forever.
I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. Revelation 21:22-23
D. All believers are a reflection of His light
For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” Acts 13:47
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” Ephesians 5:8
II. THIS CHILD IS………. THE GREAT LIBERATOR (Vs. 3-5)
This child that was to be born some 740 years later was going to enlarge and increase its joy.
H7235 äá˜øˆ
(Multiplied/Increase) raòbaòh raw-baw’
A primitive root; to increase (in whatever respect):—[bring in] abundance + archer [by mistake for H7232], be in authority, bring up, enlarge, excel, exceeding (-ly), be full of, (be, make) great (-er, -ly), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have, make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more (in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much (greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty store, thoroughly, very.
He would liberate the nation from all its oppressors and foes supernaturally.
This prophecy began after the Babylonian captivity and its victories during the Maccabean times; but it will find its final fulfillment in Armageddon.
We must understand that Christ Jesus our Messiah did not overcome the world with His birth but with His sacrificial death and resurrection.
A. Jesus is the Liberator of God’s people by His sacrifice
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:12
B. Jesus overcame the world for us
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
“To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.” Revelation 3:21
“They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” Revelation 17:14
II. THIS CHILD IS……….. THE GREAT LORD (Vs. 6-7)
The humanity of God was revealed to this world in the birth of a child called Jesus.
God revealed to the world in Isaiah chapter 7 that this child is “Immanuel” God with us.
There are four names given for this coming liberator; four names that describe the character of God.
A. Wonderful Counselor
Not just a good counselor but a Wonderful Counselor. He will give counsel to any man, woman, or child on how they can be saved from sin.
“The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power……” Isaiah 11:2
B. Mighty God
The reflection of God’s character here is that He is God, the mighty One a warrior, a champion in battle. He has no less power than that of the mighty God (El Shaddi). He is God, one with the Father.
C. Everlasting Father
Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the LORD.” 1 Chronicles 16:36
“David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to
you, O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. 11Yours, O
LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
For everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are
Exalted as head over all.” 1 Chronicles 29:10
And the Levites—Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah and Pethahiah—said: “Stand up and praise the LORD your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting.” “Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. 6You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.
Nehemiah 9:5-6
D. Prince of Peace
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the
punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5
You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. Acts 10:36
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:20
CONCLUSION:
740 years before His birth the prophet Isaiah announced the coming Messiah. 2030 years ago He was revealed. Today He is still our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15
